Local News
Steven Reynolds and Cassidi Porter Killed, Two Young Children Injured in Head-On Crash at Putnam County Intersection
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. — Two people were killed and several others, including two young children, were injured in a head-on collision Tuesday morning at the intersection of Highway 212 and Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County, Georgia, authorities said.
The crash was reported at approximately 7:20 a.m. on October 27, 2026, according to information provided by Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, and charges are pending.
According to Sheriff Sills, the crash began when a southbound vehicle towing a boat stopped on Highway 212 while waiting to turn onto Twin Bridges Road.
A Chevrolet Silverado traveling behind the stopped vehicle reportedly maneuvered around it and entered the path of a northbound Hyundai Palisade. The Silverado then collided head-on with the Hyundai.
The impact resulted in two fatalities and left multiple other occupants injured.
Authorities identified the two passengers killed in the Hyundai Palisade as Steven Ray Reynolds, 51, and Cassidi Autumn Porter, 28.
Both died as a result of the collision, according to the information released by the sheriff.
The Hyundai’s driver, Alisha Kaye Porter, 51, suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital in Macon, where she remained hospitalized.
Porter’s two young sons, who were also inside the Hyundai, were injured in the crash and taken to a hospital in Macon for treatment. Their conditions have not been provided in the information available.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was identified as Elijah Brooks Malcolm, 19, of Good Hope, Georgia.
According to Sheriff Sills, Malcolm complained of injuries following the collision and was taken to a hospital in a private vehicle. Further details about the extent of his injuries were not immediately available.
The vehicle towing the boat had been stopped while waiting to make a turn when the collision occurred. No additional information was provided about the occupants of that vehicle.
Authorities continue investigating the fatal crash to determine the circumstances that led to the head-on collision.
Charges are pending, and officials have not announced any formal charges in the information provided.
The crash has left two families grieving while the injured occupants, including two young children, receive medical care.
Our thoughts are with the families of Steven Ray Reynolds and Cassidi Autumn Porter, as well as everyone injured in this devastating collision. We wish the injured a full recovery and extend our sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives.
TOMS RIVER, New Jersey — Two women were killed and another woman was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Garden State Parkway in Toms River, according to the New Jersey State Police.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Caryn J. Coon, 22, of Forked River, New Jersey, and Lauren J. Maturo, 32, of Syosset, New York. Both women sustained fatal injuries in the crash, which occurred at approximately 9:42 p.m. at milepost 87 on the northbound Garden State Parkway.
The New Jersey State Police confirmed the victims’ identities following the fatal collision.
According to police, a Genesis passenger vehicle had become disabled in the center lane of the northbound highway. A Freightliner tractor-trailer was stopped behind the disabled vehicle in the same lane.
Investigators said Coon was driving a Honda when her vehicle struck the rear of the Freightliner. Following the collision, the Honda left the roadway to the right and traveled down a grass embankment.
A second collision occurred when a Ford SUV, driven by Amanda K. McHenry, 32, of New York, New York, also struck the rear of the stopped tractor-trailer. Maturo was riding in the front passenger seat of the Ford SUV.
Coon and Maturo suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
McHenry sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, police said.
The driver of the Freightliner tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries. Authorities reported that no other injuries were reported at the scene.
The crash involved multiple vehicles and occurred on the northbound side of the Garden State Parkway near milepost 87 in Toms River.
The New Jersey State Police confirmed the identities of the two women who died in the collision. The information provided by authorities did not specify whether any citations had been issued or whether additional details about the cause of the crash had been determined.
The incident remains a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with disabled vehicles and stopped traffic on busy highways. Drivers traveling on major roadways are encouraged to remain alert, maintain a safe following distance, and watch for unexpected hazards.